Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum 2025 Emphasizes Green and Intelligent Development
The 2025 Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum opened on May 30, 2025, in the port city of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. This significant event attracted port officials, industry experts, and academics from over 40 countries and regions. With the theme "Go Green, Go Intelligent," the forum aimed to explore pathways for promoting low-carbon development in the maritime industry, enhancing supply chain resilience through digital connectivity, and strengthening international cooperation in the face of multiple global challenges.
During the opening ceremony, He Jianzhong, the President of the China Navigation Institute, highlighted the importance of sustainability in the maritime port industry. He emphasized that efforts should be made to adopt eco-friendly practices, stimulate industrial transformation through digital and intelligent innovation, and facilitate integrated development in the sector by improving connectivity.
One prominent speaker was Anne-Sophie Zerlang Karlsen, the Asia-Pacific Operations Chief at Maersk. She shared how the Danish shipping giant has leveraged big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time. These technological advancements have led to significant cost savings, reduced energy consumption, and improved cargo delivery performance, ultimately enhancing supply chain efficiency.
Turning to China's initiatives, Tao Chengbo, President of the Zhejiang Seaport Group and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group, discussed the world's largest port by annual cargo throughput. He pointed out that Ningbo Zhoushan is actively pursuing its transformation with three main systems, which include achieving net-zero emissions, implementing digital intelligence operations, and offering comprehensive logistics services. These initiatives aim to provide a boost to the global maritime port industry.
Jens Meier, President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), and General Manager of the Port of Hamburg Authority, reiterated the necessity for global cooperation. He lauded the forum as an essential platform for stakeholders worldwide to collaborate and address common challenges faced by the maritime industry.
This year’s forum also saw the release of several consensus documents and reports, highlighting the collaborative efforts and shared goals of the participating nations and organizations. Concrete agreements were formed between Ningbo Zhoushan Port and several prominent international ports, including the German ports of Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven, as well as Spain’s Port of Valencia.
In addition to the main discussions, six thematic forums were held, focusing on various subsectors such as comprehensive logistics, intelligent maritime transport, port-city integration, and navigation safety. These discussions explored innovative solutions and strategies aimed at shaping the future of the maritime industry.
With the challenges posed by climate change and global supply chain disruptions, the 2025 Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum represents a crucial step forward in rethinking the industry towards a sustainable and intelligent future. By fostering international collaboration and embracing advanced technologies, the forum participants are paving the way for a more resilient maritime ecosystem that meets the pressing demands of the modern world.